Motor vehicle underbody truck grader



June 15, 1943; LE GRAND u 2,321,833

MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER-BODY TRUCK GRADER Filed July 19, 1940 sSheets-Sheet.-l

LEGRFIND H. Luu.

June 15, 1943. LE GRAND H. LULL 2,321,833 v MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER-BODYTRUCK GRADER Filed July 19, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 LEGRHM] H. Luu.

June 15, 1943. LE GRAND H. LULL 232L833 MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER-BODY TRUCKGRADER Filed July 19, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 EI Z T LEIGRHND H. LULLPatented June 15, 1943 7 OFFICE MOTOR VEHEOLE UNDERBODY TRUCK GRADER LeGrand Ill. Lull, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application July 19, 1940, Serial No. 346,382

eoiaims. (Cl. 37-155) My invention relates to an under-body grader formotor vehicles and method of control which provides a means for rapidoperation ove the highway with a means of leveling the surface of theroad more accurately than has been accom-v plished heretofore with anunder-body grader by reason of my chatter eliminator which overcomes achattering or vibrating of the. mold board of the grader and steadiesthe scraper blade in operation. With my under-body grader the road maybe leveled out smooth in an even plane even this manner unless the moldboard and scraper 4 bladeare controlled by a levelizing means, such as Ihave providedand which is the subject matter of. my Patents Numbers2,108,541 and 1,968,412. The grader is adaptedto spread or driftmaterial uniformly without chatte at any maintenance speeds and to 'cutand spread material uniformly, either fast or slow, whether the materialis wet or dry, due to the levelizer controlled blade.

A further feature of my under-body grader motor vehicle resides in theconstruction of the grader mechanism in combination with the means ofsupporting the same in relation to the truck chassis and body and'bymeans of controlling the blade so that it will out off the tops of thecorrugations, leaving the surface smooth and not following the path ofleast resistance as old forms and types of graders have done in' thepast. This is due to the levelizer means which changes the pressure onthe cutting edge of the blade,

holding it firm to cut off the high spots, and preventing it fromdropping into the low spots; thereby grading the road surface smooth andeven. Heretofore, due to the flexible mounting or resiliency of thechassis of motor trucks, great difliculty has been experienced inendeavoring to provide an under-body grader for road maintenance, andmany graders of this character have failed to operate successfully.However, my

underbody grader with the levelizer means for controlling the mold boardand scraper blade, operates successfully to provide a road maintenancedevice in a motor truck having its chassis and body supported by springsand with the grader and levelizer mechanism 'mounted upon the frame ofthe chassis of the motor truck and adapted to operate unaffected by thespringy action of the truck springs, because the levelizers keep thescraper blade and mold board steady at all times.

Heretofore truck scrapers have, been provided wherein the blade had tobe positioned inclined forwardly so that the blade acted as a drag overthe road instead of having an upright cutting edge. In this type/thescraper follows the path of least resistance and pulls hard because itrequires considerable pressure to try to get the blade to cut the: highspots in leveling a road. These old forms of graders alsodug out the lowspots because they are usually soft and easy to cutaway. Further; themold board in these old constructions tends to wedge or pack thematerial instead of having it roll in a circular motion on themoldiboard, causing a heavy draft and the deposit of'the material in thewrong-places because of the plugged blade. In still other 'old forms ofgraders, the m'oldboardmay be positioned at right angles to the roadsurface, however, without. my levelizers even though operated at'aslow'speed, will chatter; teeter, gouge, and jump, whereas; when mygrader construction is employed the mold board may be set in rightangular position to the road and being equipped with my levelizers themold board is held steady, preventingchattering, teetering, and jumping,and permitting maintenance at any reasonable speeds of the grader motorvehicle. The levelizer means in my grader holds the mold board off andthe scraper blade away from the lower surfaces and permits the fillingin of the holes when it reaches the high spots, and thus there is morepressure on the scraper blade to cut down the high spots and at the sametime lesspressure on the levelizer means,'thereby automatically applyingmore or less pressure at the right time to make the road surface verysmooth.

My invention includes a motor vehicle underbody grader and the method ofoperating the same consisting in operating. the mold board and graderblade to raise or lower the same at either end or on both'endssimultaneously by means of the powe of the vehicle propelling meansduring the operation of the Vehicle over theroad with the gradermechanism mounted to the chassis between the front and rear wheels torapidly grade a road with an even level surface. Further, the methodconsists in leveling a road by a motor vehicle having its chassismounted on springs, with a grader mechanism positioned between thewheels to direct the weight of the vehicle against the grader mechanismand operating the grader mechanism toward and away from the road surfaceby the power propelling the vehicle and steadying the grader againstchattering, thereby rapidly leveling the road surface by the movement ofthe vehicle over the same.

It is also a feature to provide a combination of elements wherein gradermechanism including a scraper blade and mold board are carried by thechassis of a motor vehicle with drawbars extending to the front end ofthe motor vehicle chassis to pull the grader over the ground and at thesame time direct the weight of the vehicle against the beams whichsupport the mold board of the scraper. Also, operating the beams andmold board: of the scraper mechanism toward o away from the ground bymeans of the power of the motor vehicle including hydraulically operatedcylinders which cushionally operate the mold board and scraper; also,combining a levelizing means near the ends of the scraper blade whicheliminates chattering of the blade and permits the motor vehicle totravel rapidly over the road being graded, the levelizing meanscompensating for the spring'y mounted scraper blade when is operated bythe hydraulic cylinders and which is resiliently supported in relationto the 'road by the springs of the motor vehicle.

Further the invention includes the combination of a motor vehicle, withan under-body grader including means fo operating the grader by the unitof power which operates the motor vehicle and which permits the motorvehicle to be propelled and the simultaneous operation of the gradertoward or away from the ground to adjust either end of the grader bladeindependently or collectively. The grade mechanism includes means forpulling the grader blade mechanism'from the forward end of the chassis,and adjustable means to set the blade in any angular position beneaththe chassis, together with the steadying means for the mold board andscraper blade which holds the blade counterbalanced in a manner tocompensate for inequalities in the road and causes the blade to travelin a smooth level plane without chatter or vibration.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification: I

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a motor vehicle truck, showingmy under-body grader secured thereto.

Figure 2 is a plan view of my grader, showing diagrammatically and inskeleton formation, the chassis of the motor vehicle.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of one of the telescopic bracing armsused on my grader.

Figure 4.- is an enlarged sectional view of the forward end of thedrawbar beams which attach the grader to the forward end of the chassisin one form of the grader.

Figure is an enlarged detail sectional View illustrating the linkage andcushioning means which connects the beams of the grader to the linkoperated by the hydraulic cylinders.

Figure 6, shown partly in section, illustrates the pivotal connection ofthe mold board to the slidable or adjustable beam which connects thegrader to the drawbars.

ton rods 2llwhenthe valves Figure 7 illustrates a portion of the frontend of the chassis of the motor vehicle, showing a different form ofconnecting the drawbars in front of the front axle of the motor vehicle.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional illustration of the blade incorrect cutting position and as used in my method with the blade heldunder constant control by the levelizers, and the action of thehydraulic ram cylinders on the chassis, not illustrated in this View.

The motor vehicle A shown in the drawings is simply diagrammatic toillustrate a form of Vehicle that may be used to carry my under-bodygrader. The vehicle A may be of any construction and as shown in thedrawings, is a truck of ordinary type where the body B may be used tocarry gravel, rock or any other road material, and may be operated by anunder-body hoist, not illustrated. Hoists of this character are usedextensively in elevating a portion of the body, such as B, so that thematerial in the body may be dumped or slid out of the same onto theroadway or ground. The vehicle A is provided with a power plant C underthe hood I0 and diagrammatically illustrated in dotted outline in Figure2. The power plant usually is of an internal combustion engine, beingself-contained and operated by gas or the power plant C may be of aDiesel type engine and is provided with a transmission II. From thetransmission II a power take-01f unit I 2 is provided which drivesthrough the shaft I 3 a gear pump I4 which pumps oil from the reservoirI5 through the pipes I6 and is controlled by the valves I7 and I8. Thevalves I"! and I 8 are normally operated from within the cab D of themotor vehicle A by suitable lever I1 and I3.

The valve I1 is connected by piping IT to the hydraulic cylinder I8which is positioned on one side of the chassis E, whereas, the valve I8is connected by the. piping I 8" to another hydraulic cylinder I9 on theopposite side of the chassis E.

The cylinders I9 are identical and are adapted to be operatedhydraulically to operate the pis- I1 and I8 are operated. When thevalves I1 and I8 are in a neutral position, then the fluid may passthrough the gear pump I4 and around through the reservoir I 5 andthrough the piping I6, thus permitting the power take-off I2 to continueto operate when the engine unit C is in operation, thereby keeping thehydraulic fluid operating through the pump I4 and in readiness tooperate the cylinders l9 at any time by the operation of the levers I7and I8.

The cylinders I9 are pivotally connected to the chassis at 2| so thatthey may swing in operation to adjust themselves into the desiredposition. The piston rods 20 are connected to the triangu lar-shapedlinks 22 which are pivoted at 23 to the chassis and also pivotallyconnect on the forward end at 24 to the operating cushion links 25. Thecylinders I9 are adapted to operate and control the grader mechanism Fwhich is positioned under the chassis E and adapted to be raised orlowered by the cylinders I9 when desired.

' The grader mechanism F includes a pair of drawbars 26 positioned oneach side of the chassis E and 'in the construction illustrated inFigures 1 and 2, the forward ends of the drawbars are supported by thedepending bracket 21 and pivotally connected thereto at 28. Theconnection at 28 may include the bolt 29 which extends through thebracket 2! and which is adapted to carry a sleeve 30 on which the frontend of the drawbars 26 ride. Coil springs 61 cushion the pivoted ends ofthe drawbars 26 and are held by suitable nut and lock means 32. Thisspring pivotal mounting G provides the resiliency and pivotal supportfor the forward ends of the drawbars 26 to cushionally attach these barsto the chassis frame E. It will be apparent that the drawbars 26 aresupported close to the front wheel axles and front end of the chassis E,so that the pull on the drawbars is at the front of the vehicle A.

When it is desired brackets 2'! may be provided as illustrated in Figure7, and the drawbars 26' may be mounted at 28' by the connecting units G;however, in this construction the drawbars 26 are offset to extend underthe front axle 33 of the vehicle A. In this form of construction, thedrawbars 26 are mounted ahead of the axle of the vehicle instead of atthe rear of the same, thereby positioning the pull on the drawbarscloser to the front end of the vehicle A.

Upon the drawbars 26, I provide slidable tubular beam members 34 which.are adjustably connected to the drawbars by the link-35. The drawbars 26are formed with a series of holes 36 which permit the beams 34 to be setin the desired position.

The mold board 31 and the scraper blade 33 of the grader mechanism F,are adapted to be pivotally secured to the tubular beams 34 by thebracket 3.5 which is formed with a tubular bearing end 40 to receive thepin ii extending down from the bracket portion 42 which is integrallyconnected to the side and bottom portion of the beam 34. There are twoof these connecting members, one for each member 34 on each side of thechassis of the vehicle A. This pivotal connection holds the mold board31 and the scraper or grader blade 38 adjustable transversely of thechassis E. Figure 2 shows the scraper blade 38 held at an angle so thatthe material scraped by the blade will run off of the left end or sideof the blade, thus causing any road material scraped by the blade totend to be directed toward the machine. When it is desired to run thematerial off toward the right, the blade 38 is adjusted by. moving theslidable tubular beams 34 into a position opposite to that illustratedin Figure 2 on the drawbars 26. It will also be apparent that the blade38 may be set at right angles transversely of the longitudinal formationof the chassis E. When the blade 38 is positioned at right angles, thenthe material may be scraped forwardly, the grader acting as a forwardscraper to carry the material forward in the operation of the vehicle A.In this position, the drawbars 26 slant outwardly from their pivot unitsG to extend with their rear ends away from the sides of the rear portionof the chassis E.

The cushion link pivotally connects the triangular link 22 with the beam34 through the bracket member 43 which is slidably secured to the topplate of the beam 34 as illustrated in Figure 5. The bracket 63 is heldin position on the beam 34 by the link bracing arm 44. The cushion link25 is provided with a coil spring 45 which acts to provide a springcushion between the pressure of the ramming cylinders l9 and the beam34. This cushion means in the link 25 also absorbs severe road shockagainst the scraper blad in the operation of the scraper.

The scraper blade 38 is held against chattering in its operation by thelevelizers H which are attached to the mold board 3'! of the scraper 38by means of the bracket 46. Each levelizer H is provided with a groundshoe or skid 41 which is adapted to slide along the surface of theground bearing against the same. Spring means, not illustrated, iscontained within the levelizer H as disclosed in my Patents 2,108,541and 1,968,-

412, which, causes the-shoe skid 4'! to bear against the ground with adegree of spring pressure which-has a tendency to cushion-the blade 38so as to prevent-the same fromchattering or dropping into small recessesin the roadway in the grading operation.

In the scraping operation, the ram cylinders 19 are operated to pressthe beamv 36 downward, which in turn, presses the blade 38 toward theroad by hydraulic pressure, and the levelizers I-I being positioned nearthe ends of the blade, tend to raise the blade and to act against thepressure of the ram cylinders 19. The long shoes 47 on the levelizers Hskid overrthe ground and hold the scraper blade 38 against chattering ordigging into the road surface as has been done heretofore by old stylesof scrapers or graders. My grader operates on the road as illustrateddiagrammatically in Figure 10, which shows the correct cutting positionof the blade 68 and shows the manner in which the blade is underconstant control by the levelizers H.

The levelizers H are held braced in relation to the scraper blade by theadjustable brace arms I. The arms I are formed with end portions 50 and5! which telescope and which are adapted to be held in the desiredadjusted position by the set screws 52, more fully illustrated in Figure3. My scraper device may be used without the arms I, if it is desirable,but it is preferred to use the same so as to adjust the levelizers H inthe desired position in relation to the scraper blade 38. The levelizersH are pivotally supported at 54 to permit the levelizers to be adjustedhorizontally, or to pivot at 54 in a horizontal direction in theiroperation when the brace arms I are not used. The spring mounting andthe axles of the chassis are not illustrated in the drawings becausethey may be of any suitable construction or nature now in common use.

It is important in an under-body grader that the pull be from the frontas I have disclosed in the drawbars 26 and 26", with the rear ends ofthe drawbars floating freely or controlled by the raising and loweringmeans to properly position the same in relation to the ground to bringthe scraper mechanism into or out of operation with the ground.

the scraper blade be controlled against chattering or vibrating, andthis I have accomplished with the combination of my levelizers andwithout which it is impossible, in my opinion, to plane the road surfacesmo'oth.

Further, it is equally important to the control the scraping blade sothat it may be quickly raised out of engagement with road or that it maybe lowered and forced toward the surface of the ground by cushionedpressure. This I have accomplished by utilizing the power of the motorvehicle and providing the pneumatic ram cylinders which cushionallycontrol the scraper blade 38 and which permit with the levelizers, thesmooth planing off of the high spots and the leveling off of the lowspots in the road with a faster operation than has been accomplishedheretofore and in a better manner than has been accomplished heretofore.

My method includes the hydraulic operation of the scraper mechanismcontrolled by the power from the motor vehicle carrying the scrapermechanism and the positioning of the scraper or grader mechanism underthe body of the veincluding a scraper blade, a pair of parallel spaceddrawbars, said drawbars slidably supporting tubular beams, hydraulic rammeans, said hydraulic ram means engaging said tubular beams to operatesaid scraper blade toward or away from the road surface, and resilientroad engaging means tending to lift said blade away from the ground,whereby said blade is balanced between said hydraulic ram means and saidresilient road engaging means to permit the same to be operated rapidlyover the ground surface to level the same by cutting off the high spotsand filling in the low spots without a chattering of said blade.

2. The combination of a motor vehicle and an under-body road scrapingdevice, including a scraper blade and mold board, parallel spaceddrawbars pivotally connected to the front end of said motor vehicle,tubular beams slidably mounted on said drawbars, cushion ground engagingmeans secured adjacent the ends of said scraper blade to overcomechattering of said blade, said blade pivotally secured to said tubularbeams, a pair of hydraulically operated cylinders on either side of saidmotor vehicle adapted to control the raising and lowering of saidtubular members and the free ends of said drawbars,

and, cushion means interposed between said hydraulic cylinders and saidtubular members to absorb road shock between said tubular members andsaid operating cylinders.

3. A road grading device including a scraper blade, said road gradingdevice pivotally secured beneath the chassis of a motor vehicle, a pairof cylinders having connecting rods, pivot means for pivoting saidcylinders to said motor vehicle, triangular plates pivotally secured tosaid motor vehicle and connected to said cylinder by said connectingrods, a pair of drawbars mounted to the chassis of said motor vehicle,tubular members slidably mounted to said drawbars, said scraper bladepivotally secured to said tubular members, said tubular members beingconnected to said triangular plates by universal joint cushion links,said cushion links being adapted to absorb road shock which istransmitted from said scraper blade to said cushion link, levelizerspivotally connected to the ends of said scraper blade, said levelizersbeing adapted to hold said scraper blade against chattering, andhydraulic means foroperating cylinders to lower and raise said scraperblade.

4. An under-body grader comprising a scraper blade and mold board, apair of parallel spaced drawbars, a pair of tubular members slidablymounted on said drawbars, a pair of brackets on said tubular members,said scraper and mold board being-pivotally mounted to said brackets,and cushion means connected to said tubular means for lowering andraising said drawbars.

5. A scraping device pivotally secured under the chassis of a motorvehicle, consisting of a scraper blade and mold board, a pair ofdrawbars pivoted to the front end of said motor vehicle, a tubularmember slidably mounted on said drawbars, means of pivotally securingsaid scraper blade to said slidable tubular members, cushion links, saidcushion links being pivoted to said tubular member, a pair of triangularplates pivoted to said motor vehicle, and means of pivoting saidtringular plates to said cushion links, a pair of cylinders pivotallymounted to said m0- tor vehicle, a pair of connecting rods, saidconnecting rods pivotally joining said cylinders and said triangularplates, and hydraulic means for operating said cylinders.

6. An under-body grader attached to the chassis of a motor drivenvehicle, said underbody grader including a scraper blade, a pair ofspaced parallel drawbars, said drawbars slidably supporting tubularbeams, hydraulic ram means, said hydraulic ram means engaging saidtubular beams to operate said scraper blade toward or away from the roadsurface.

LE GRAND H. LULL.

